Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni has today met with some of
Work and Income’s top case managers who’ve achieved outstanding results
supporting their clients into work.
20 high performing case managers from across the country were brought
together for a series of workshops after being identified for their success
supporting people from all backgrounds through difficult situations and
into sustainable employment.
“It’s exciting to hear the methods and practices they’ve used working with
people on the front line in need of assistance so that we might use this
information to help shape future services and best practice across the
board,” Minister Sepuloni said.
“I was interested to know the common attributes these case managers share
as a group. It is their heart and genuine care for people mixed with a
significant knowledge of what’s available to help a person from both MSD
and the local community that is key to their success in helping to change
people’s lives.
“They also expressed the importance of supporting people into training and
educational opportunities as a pathway into meaningful employment – an area
of key focus for this government.
“Given my vision for a culture at Work and Income that is more inclusive,
respects all people’s right to dignity, ensures everyone has access to
their full entitlements and focuses on people’s potential I am heartened
these case managers demonstrate this approach in their interactions with
New Zealanders requiring assistance.
“It helps form part of the culture change we want to support at all levels
of MSD, and across Work and Income offices around the country. It’s
important to focus on those doing an exceptional job to showcase how this
can be done.
“Improving the culture at Work and Income is about both ensuring the best
possible outcomes for clients and making sure staff feel supported in their
roles.

///////////////////////////////////////////
Bill to make cartel conduct a criminal offence

Consumers and business will benefit from legislation introduced to
Parliament today which will make it a criminal offence to engage in cartel
conduct.
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi has today tabled the
Commerce (Criminalisation of Cartels) Amendment Bill, which includes
imprisonment as a criminal penalty.
“Price fixing and other cartel conduct harms honest New Zealand
businesses, consumers and the wider economy. It stifles emerging
businesses, impacts on consumers if they are not getting the best deal the
market could offer, and limits growth by undermining competition.
“I do not believe New Zealand’s existing civil regime provides sufficient
disincentives for cartel conduct so we are acting to stop it,” says Mr
Faafoi.
“My hope is that the risk of imprisonment acts as a strong deterrent and
reflects the seriousness of the harm that can be caused.
“New Zealand has a well-respected and robust business environment and we
are not suggesting there is a significant issue here. At the same time
though, I believe there’s a need to provide certainty of operating
environment to enable businesses to compete without the intrusion of cartel
type behaviours. I have also been clear that I intend to ensure consumers
are getting a fair deal across the board.”
Mr Faafoi says that his Bill provides clarity and that honest business
should have no concerns.
“This isn’t about limiting anyone’s ability to run their business and we
will retain sound provisions of the current legislation, for example the
allowance for collaboration between competitors. I will ask the Commerce
Commission to assist by preparing good guidance for business as well as
supporting collaborations by providing business with clearances on
arrangements.”
Changes to the Commerce Act in 2017 enabled wider collaboration between
firms, and expanded the range of prohibited conduct to include price
fixing, restricting output, and allocating markets, but did not change the
civil prohibition regime in the Commerce Act. “However this Government
wants to take a strong stance against business people who collude against
the interests of consumers. Many of our trading partners, including
Australia, have a criminal offence for cartel conduct.
“Criminalisation of cartels will also help the Commerce Commission to
investigate international cartels, as overseas competition agencies in
jurisdictions with criminal sanctions will be able to offer more
cooperation to the Commission under their laws.”
Mr Faafoi says he hopes the business community and other stakeholders will
become involved when the Bill has its first reading in Parliament and moves
through the select committee process.
“I have been clear that across the Commerce portfolio my aim is to work
with the business community to achieve the most robust and efficient New
Zealand business environment possible – that is in everyone’s interests.”
The Bill has broad support from the coalition partners. Parliamentary
Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau, New Zealand First commerce spokesperson
says “this was part of the original legislation that should never have been
removed”.
More information on the Criminalisation of Cartels Bill can be found here.

///////////////////////////////////////////
Bill to reform conservation law enforcement passes first reading

Department of Conservation staff will be able to issue infringement notices
and reduce the number of costly prosecutions under a bill that passed its
first reading last night.
“The Conservation (Infringement System) Amendment Bill updates eight
separate Acts to allow the Department of Conservation to issue infringement
notices instead of prosecuting for minor offences.” Ms Sage says.
The bill was introduced under the previous Government. Currently all
conservation offences under the Acts and regulations have to be dealt with
either as a formal warning or through the courts.
“Our national parks, public conservation lands and indigenous plants and
wildlife need to be kept safe from illegal human activities, but I don’t
want to see people prosecuted and get a criminal conviction for a minor
breach of the whitebaiting regulations, or dropping litter in a park.”
Ms Sage said the offences in the current law covered a wide range of
offending.
“Someone who fishes in a marine reserve inadvertently, and does not catch
any fish or do any harm, may now get an infringement notice. Someone who
deliberately flouts the rules, and poaches fish is still likely to end up
in court.
“The bill has been drafted so serious offences such as using a firearm
unsafely or harming threatened species will not be given infringement
notices but will be prosecuted.
“These changes bring DOC’s powers in line with how low level offences are
dealt with in fisheries management, biosecurity, dog control, resource
management, traffic and parking.”
The Bill has been referred to the Environment Select Committee for
consideration and public submissions.
“I welcome the unanimous support received in the House last night and look
forward to receiving the Select Committee report in due course.”

Revenue Minister Stuart Nash has confirmed the bright-line test on
residential property sales will be extended from two years to five years in
legislation currently making its way through Parliament.
Mr Nash will introduce a Supplementary Order Paper to the Taxation (Annual
Rates for 2017–18, Employment and Investment Income, and Remedial Matters)
Bill to give effect to the changes, which were signalled prior to the
election.
“The extension of the previous government’s bright-line test will help
dampen property speculation and make homes more affordable,” Mr Nash says.
“The previous government required income tax to be paid on any gains from
residential property sold within two years of acquisition, with some
exceptions.
“The extension means that profits from residential investment properties
which are bought and sold within five years will generally be taxable.
“This proposal will ensure that residential property speculators pay income
tax on their gains and makes property speculation less attractive. We need
investment which grows the economy and creates jobs, not the sort of
investment which distorts the residential housing market. This measure will
bring fairness back into the tax system.
“Reducing speculative demand will also help improve housing affordability
for owner-occupiers. Current exemptions from the bright line test will
remain. This includes the exemption for the main home of owner-occupiers of
residential property.
The extension to the bright-line test will apply to residential investment
properties purchased from the date on which the bill receives the Royal
Assent, which is expected in March. The passage of the bill will also
enable the Tax Working Group to factor the change into any consideration of
a comprehensive capital gains tax.
For more information on the Bill, see http://taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand will contribute a
further $1.5 million to help with the emergency response and early recovery
efforts in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Gita.
“This additional funding will be directed to Tonga, Samoa and Fiji which
have all felt the impact of the cyclone,” said Mr Peters.
“A picture of the extent of damage caused by Cyclone Gita is emerging and
it is clear a big response and clean-up job lies ahead. We are here to help
our neighbours get through this,” he said.
This latest funding will be used to replenish New Zealand Red Cross relief
supplies in Tonga and provide up to $750,000 for New Zealand NGOs to
deliver ongoing emergency relief and early recovery activities in Samoa and
Tonga.
This announcement brings the total funding allocated for the New Zealand
response to Tropical Cyclone Gita to $2,250,000.